A 19th Century Qing Dynasty Famille Verte Bottle Vase

A late 19th century famille verte porcelain bottle or gourd shaped vase, decorated with cartouches of still life scenes of vases upon a foliate ground.

Part of the ‘green family’, this vase and cover bears an overglaze enamel which was applied after the initial firing and glazing process; a technique dating back to the the Ming Dynasty.

The colouring scheme of the famille verte enamels is usually yellow, red, blue, black and green, as can be seen in this example. The gourd shape acts as a symbol for protection and blessing as well as happiness and good fortune.

Qing Dynasty, Tongzhi Period (1862 – 1874)

Condition: Good, with some rim frits